Gold and Bloodstone Chatelaine Watch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1750
This mid-18th century English pocket watch is presented with its coordinating chatelaine. The watch features a consular case constructed from polished bloodstone, accented by 22-karat gold fittings.
The back of the case is a single piece of bloodstone, secured by a repoussé gold frame decorated with cherub and dove motifs, while the front bezel is inlaid with four bloodstone segments. The white enamel dial displays Roman and Arabic numerals and is fitted with blue-steel beetle and poker hands. The fusee-driven movement utilizes a verge escapement, full-plate construction with fire-gilding, four-pillared baluster supports, and an engraved balance cock.
Winding occurs through the dial. The ensemble includes a matching chatelaine with five chains supporting a variety of charms, including gold and bloodstone-mounted elements, carved coral pieces, and black pendants, alongside a gold winding key. The set is accompanied by a modern black leather display box with red velvet lining.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Date
- circa 1750
- Type
- Chatelaine watch
- Country
- England
- Escapement
- Verge
- Dial Features
- White enamel with Roman and Arabic numerals
- Case Materials
- Bloodstone and 22-karat gold
- Place recorded
- England
- Movement Finish
- Fire-gilded full-plate
- Chatelaine Components
- Five chains with charms
Design
- Visible features
- • Case features repoussé gold work with cherub motifs • Blue-steel beetle and poker hands on white enamel dial • Chatelaine includes five chains with assorted charms including carved coral • Winding key for the movement integrated into the chatelaine assembly
- Movement and Dial
- The watch is powered by a full-plate movement finished in fire-gilding. The internal structure is supported by four-sided baluster pillars. The mechanical configuration includes a fusee and chain system with a verge escapement. Further decorative and functional elements within the movement include an engraved and pierced balance cock, a silver regulator disc, and a balance with three arms regulated by a blue-steel hairspring. The watch is designed for dial-side winding. The dial is composed of white enamel and displays a dual-numeral system using both Roman and Arabic numerals. It is mounted with beetle and poker-style hands fashioned from blue steel, which contrast against the white enamel ground.
- Presentation and History
- A gold winding key with a threaded safety clasp is integrated into the top of the chatelaine assembly for this watch. The set is currently presented in a modern, custom-made display box. The exterior of the box is finished in black leather, while the interior is lined with red velvet to provide a contrasting setting for the gold and bloodstone components of the watch and chatelaine.
- Case and External Ornamentation
- The watch is housed in a consular-style case fashioned from polished bloodstone. The back of the watch is composed of a single, solid piece of bloodstone, which is held in place by an elaborate repoussé gold frame. This frame depicts cherub figures and doves. The front bezel also incorporates bloodstone, utilizing four separate segments to complement the primary case material. All metal fittings are rendered in 22-karat gold, including the pendant and the suspension ring, which connects the timepiece to the accompanying chatelaine. The associated chatelaine is designed to coordinate with the watch case. It features a decorative clip embellished with bloodstone and repoussé gold, from which five distinct chains descend. These chains support a collection of ornamental pendants, including egg-shaped bloodstone charms, gold filigree work with black interiors, five carved coral pieces, and two black-colored pendants described as possibly being jet.
Identification
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: The black pendants on the chatelaine are 'possibly' jet, as noted in the source description
- Research required: The exact origin of the maker is not identified in the provided source text